By Chris Wright
Ludlow High School
In recently reflecting on my time as a student in a public K-12 school, I have been reminded of so many caring and compassionate teachers that laid the foundation for my life beyond the walls of Ludlow Independent Schools. I have had a long and successful educational career, one that will culminate when I complete the coursework phase of my doctoral degree and begin my dissertation at the end of this year. Despite the length of my educational career, my time in K-12 public education has left me with the most impactful lessons that have and will continue to shape who I am.
By no means is this a comprehensive list of lessons I learned, or teachers who had a great impact on me. I would love to express my gratitude to each and every teacher I had growing up, but to do so would literally require a book.
Instead, I have compiled a list of a few of the lessons I learned that make it so easy for me to fight for the teachers of the past, present, and future and the students they will impact.
Chris Wright and his son Harvey on their front porch.
Mrs. Smith (Middle School Art): taught me that it’s okay to make a terribly misshapen sculpture of a duck. The quality of the art wasn’t important, the growth of seeing something through despite my struggles was.
Mr. Hensley (Journalism/Football Coach): taught me that life is going to be filled with adversity. It is how we respond when we are knocked down that makes us who we are. I didn’t truly understand this lesson until I found myself in a hospital bed, recently diagnosed with Wegener’s Disease and unable to walk when coach called and reassured me that I would get back up from being knocked down.
Mr. Frevola (Middle School Science): taught me that every person is able of being a “genius” if they work hard enough to learn about a subject. I’m often amazed at things I remember regarding the characteristics of rocks or the makeup of different biomes, though I shouldn’t be surprised, he ensured that every student that walked through his door was an expert in whatever he was teaching by the time he or she left.
Mr. Eckhardt (High School Speech and Drama): helped me realize how much I love performing in front of people. Anything involving comedy was particularly in my wheelhouse (my audience may have disagreed). I would do anything to get a laugh. This has been a critical component of my adult life; if you cannot laugh when you work with 13 and 14-year-olds for the majority of your day, you are in for long days!
Mr. Brewer and Mrs. Brewer (Elementary School Language Arts): taught me to express myself through my writing. This has been an invaluable tool in both my personal and professional life. Writing has not only proved cathartic, it has been my greatest asset in advocating for my colleagues and myself. Thank you for encouraging my crazy ideas!
Mrs. Jordan (High School Spanish): taught me to appreciate the culture of others, and more importantly, their different worldviews.
Ms. Smith (Elementary School Physical Education): not only did Ms. Smith teach me the importance of physical fitness, she taught me that I should have the confidence to rock my fly tracksuits that my mom would dress me in on “gym days”.
Mr. Foltz, Mr. Parrett (Elementary and High School Music): taught me to appreciate music, a lesson that has kept a pep in my step every single day since!
Mrs. Haley (High School Chemistry): taught me to be inquisitive and question how everything works. This is ever present in my life today, as my wife hears nearly every other day “how interesting would a dissertation study on how ________________ works be?”
Mrs. Hodge, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Riffe (High School Social Studies): along these same lines, my social studies teachers taught me to not only understand how things work but to be willing to question why they are said to work a certain way. They taught me how to take a stance and how to have the conviction to stand behind it.
Mrs. Schultz, Mr. McCormick (High School English): brought out my love of language and literature. They helped me discover the power behind an author’s message, to truly understand the “why” behind themes and arguments. They encouraged my love of reading even as I got odd looks from classmates that I was constantly doing it for “fun”. I hope to inspire that same feeling that a good book can bring out in my students as these teachers inspired in me!
Mrs. Baker (Elementary School Peer Tutoring): allowed me the freedom in her classroom to work with her students in a meaningful way. I realized as a 17-year-old that nothing had ever felt more fulfilling than helping a young person learn to read. As I reflect on this as a Thirty-Something, I realize that nothing in my professional life will ever beat that feeling of fulfillment.
Mrs. Coleman (Middle School Algebra): taught me the importance of taking pride in my community. Being a middle school boy, I once made a comment excusing my behavior as “being from Ludlow”. I will never forget the look she gave me upon hearing this, a combination of frustration and sadness. Not a word was said but the message was sent loud and clear; I spent the rest of my time in middle school and high school, and the vast majority of my adult life, trying to champion the red and black of our school district and community. Go Panthers!
I end with a challenge: reflect on the teachers who made an impact on your life and the lessons they taught you. Reach out to them, let them know the impact they had on you, and let them know that you support them and all of the amazing things they do or have done for so many students like you!
Chris Wright is a teacher at Ludlow High School where he teachers 8th and 9th grade English/Language Arts. He was recently named the 2018 KCTE High School Teacher of the Year. He is currently earning his doctorate in Leadership Studies at Xavier University.
